GENERAL HISTOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Functionally, gap junctions in animal cells are a lot like plasmodesmata in plant cells: they are channels between neighboring cells that allow for the transport of ions, water, and other substances 3.

Detailed explanation-2: -Answer and Explanation: Gap junctions are the specialized cell communication channels between adjacent or neighboring cells. The function of the gap junctions is to directly connect the cytoplasm of two cells. These channel allows the movement of molecules, electrical impulses, and ions between the connected cells.

Detailed explanation-3: -Plasmodesmata are the plant structures that are analogous to gap junctions in animal cells. Plasmodesmata are protein channels between the cell walls of plant cells. They facilitate communication and the transport of solutes and small proteins between plant cells.

Detailed explanation-4: -But a need for direct cell-cell communication remains. Thus, plant cells have only one class of intercellular junctions, plasmodesmata (singular, plasmodesma). Like gap junctions, they directly connect the cytoplasms of adjacent cells.

Detailed explanation-5: -These junctions allow communication between adjacent cells via the passage of small molecules directly from the cytoplasm of one cell to that of another.